The Vault
Grow your art business with professional resources at your fingertips.
GUIDES & TEMPLATES
From Guides to Success to Invoicing templates, the VAA has all of the essentials for you and your business.
VIDEO DIARY
Find our celebrated Art Café featuring world-renowned speakers, as well as many more of our exclusive online webinars.
ARTICLES
Keep up to date with our newest articles and read through our archive of information on Sales, Branding, and Opportunities.
DIRECTORY
Discover a variety of contacts, giving you the opportunity to network with a range of dealers, galleries, & agents.
Our Members receive £5m Public & Product Liability Insurance.
EVENTS
What’s coming up?
From our infamous monthly Art Café to Strategy Sessions, to our new Helpdesk, a membership to the VAA provides you with plenty of opportunities to be proactive with your business.
Membership Verification
We have recently introduced our Member Verification Badge. This establishes you as a professional and respectable artist, as well as helping you find fellow VAA Members!
Download yours Today.
NEWSBOARD
VAA Online Art Exhibition Showcases New, Emerging Artists
Contemporary emerging artists across the globe are being showcased in an online virtual exhibition by the Visual Artists Association from 13th April to 30th June, 2021. This digital edition, will celebrate all visual art mediums including Paintings, Drawings, Sculpture, Photography, and Mixed Media. The event will feature over 200 hand-picked artists selected from thousands of applicants.
The ambitious exhibition expands across five virtual gallery spaces, featuring the new and emerging artists. All artworks are available to be purchased directly from the artist and visitors can also book an online consultation direct with the artists themselves or the exhibition director. The inaugural online exhibition has been organised in response to the pandemic by The Visual Artists Association, London.
Throughout the exhibition members of the public can select their select their favourite artist in the Public Choice Awards. At the end of the exhibition, the artist with the most votes will win a prize and mentorship package. There will also be a feature gallery space, with artwork selected for the curator awards. Art expert and curator, Karen Van Hoey Smith has selected key artists worthy of additional recognition for this gallery space.
VAA Director, Laura O’Hare commented “The artists featured in this exhibition have recently had notable success in exhibiting and also in sales. There are artists from over 15 different countries, including the USA, Far East, Australasia, Europe, and beyond There is a broad age range of artists, who reflect their diverse life experiences in their artworks. This exhibition will put the spotlight on new and emerging talent, giving them a helping hand in the artworld”.
April 2020
Dear Member,
We know that during this lockdown period Artists have had Shows cancelled and Art Galleries have closed their doors. So here at the Visual Artists Association HQ we have been focusing on what our members can do RIGHT NOW on their Arts Business!
1. INCOME If you haven’t already done so; check what you are entitled to claim from the Government during the Covid-19 lockdown. Here is a brief lowdown on what might be applicable to Artists.
a) Support for businesses that pay little or no business rates. The government is paying £10,000 grants to businesses that occupy premises that pay little or no business rates. So, if you are an Artist and pay little or no business rates but occupy a business property, you may be able to claim a one off grant of £10k.
b) Self-employed Income Support Scheme – This is a grant worth 80% of trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for next 3 months. Ask your Accountant for details.
c) Grants – Research specialist grants that you might be eligible for. Please see: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid19 e) Start Selling Online
2. GO ONLINE. Get online – Now is the time to make sure that your platforms are up to speed and you can directly connect with your audience. Once we are out of lock down you will be able to move on with pride knowing that everything is ready to go! The good news is there are only three main areas for you to work on:
1/Email list What do you check every day? Your inbox. So does the rest of the population. If you haven’t already done so start your email list now or bring it up to date. Why not use this as a great opportunity to have a direct one to one conversation with a Buyer?
• Start by making a list of every single person who has bought your art/ is interested in your art;
• Compose an email with 3 key ingredients; ask how they are, that you are taking a moment to thank them for appreciating your art/buying your art; conclude with a link to your website/image of your work.
• For those who respond, tell them what you are up to; show them new artworks, do you have slots open for commissions, let them know? Action re-cap: Compile Email list/compose email
2/Artist Website Now is the time to update your website, it should be fresh, clear and above all reflect the very best version of you and your art.
• Domain name? This must be short, to the point; and professional.
• Email Address should be likewise – get rid of that old hotmail account with a cutesy name attached. It doesn’t look professional or serious.
• Update with Fresh new and available work, include prices.
• Update your events
• Make sure Visitors can sign up to a newsletter and that they newsletters are updated on a regular basis
• Check for clarity of image and upload speed. Consider some close up images where texture is involved.
• An outdated statement, bio or cv immediately hint that you are not focused.
Your website should raise your credibility. There are plenty of simple tools and sites for building websites out there, so there is no excuse. Your website is your selling platform that never sleeps.
3/ Instagram This is the number one social media platform for Artists and is your calling card. Use it to tell followers about what you are up to with your posts – what are you creating. No personal life posts though;
• Put your works in context
• Quality over quantity while keeping it varied
• Compare Yourself with your top three favourite artist accounts – why is yours so different? Audit yourself, and fill the gap. Work on these areas in the next few months and you will be making excellent progress.
If you would like to look at these areas or any other of your Art Business in more detail why not join the Visual Artists Association (VAA) https://visual-artists.org/join – for as little as £4.99 per month to receive £5million Public and Products Liability Insurance, Online Resources, Helpline and much more . We are also offering FREE 1-2-1 Strategy calls for the first 100 Artists who join.
May 2020
UK Artists give free Art for all donations to
Mental Health Charity Appeal
A national emergency appeal to support Mental Health charities including Mind has been launched, which will give every donor a thank-you gift of art from leading British artists. The #CreateArt4Hope’ appeal organised by The Visual Artists Association, will help Mental Health charities in delivering vital front-line services in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Everyone who contributes to the appeal will receive a curated collection of A3 limited edition prints generously gifted by four award-winning artists’ including international sculptor Emma Rodgers; London based illustrator’ Carne Griffiths; Scottish fine landscape artist, Michael Batey; and contemporary animal painter, Tammy Walters.
Laura O’Hare, Director of the appeal commented “It is a mental health emergency and artists want to support the national effort to fight this pandemic. The appeal makes art accessible to all, given the financial hardship some are facing. The gifted artwork is an inspiring and rare collection symbolising hope and peace”.
Beth Knudsen from the charity Mind commented “As we start to feel the impact of coronavirus on our mental health, it is incredibly important that we take action now. This is our window of opportunity to support vital services. A donation to Mind supports everyone experiencing a mental health problem during these difficult times – whether they’re struggling with isolation, anxious about their or their loved one’s health, worrying about the future, or fighting on the frontline to save lives.
Speaking about the appeal, artist Emma Rodgers commented “When I heard about this project I wanted to help the cause and show support to those who are finding thing particularly difficult in these current times, as it is so important to look after our mental health as well as physical health. I felt compelled to create this artwork and specifically raise much needed funds for Mind. ‘RiseUp – The Dove, a symbol of peace and hope seemed the perfect subject, as it lifts
in flight, the traces of it’s wing movements are created by clapping hands, lifting the Dove, and indeed our hope in together overcoming Covid-19.
Emma Rodgers is a UK-based International artist who with works held in several major collections including National Museums and Galleries and featured in R.A., V&A, Saatchi and leading private collections.
To receive the free artwork collection, make a charitable donation via the fundraising page on www.createart4hope.co.uk Postage and packaging of £4.99 to receive the artwork is paid separately online. The limited edition art collection comes with a stamp and certificate of authenticity. Organisers are planning to release a 2nd collection of artwork at a later date. Further details are available online at www.createart4hope.co.uk
#CreateArt4Hope Set of Prints:
- ‘Rise Up – The Dove’ by Emma Rogers
- ‘The Stallion’ by Tammy Walters
- ‘Spring Thaw’ by Michael Batey
- ‘Peace’ by Carne Griffiths
Freelands Foundation Emergency Fund
The £1.5m Freelands Foundation Emergency Fund is supported by the Freelands Foundation, as part of a landmark commitment of £3m towards emergency funds for artists and freelance creative practitioners across the UK affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
Who can apply: Freelance creative practitioners based in England and Northern Ireland who work in the visual arts and are experiencing severe financial hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
What: Grants of £1,500 – £2,500
Deadline for applications: Applications will be accepted until 2:00pm on Thursday 18th June 2020 and decisions will be made on a weekly basis. You can apply at any time. There are no deadlines. Applicants will be informed of decisions approximately two weeks after submitting their application.
The Freelands Foundation is committed to supporting artists, organisations, audiences and staff during the Covid-19 crisis. More than ever, these extraordinarily challenging times have shone a light on the transformative power of the arts and creativity, inspiring individuals and connecting communities across the UK.
Therefore, the Foundation is pleased to announce that it has now committed a total of £3m in emergency funds to support artists and freelance creative practitioners in urgent need of financial support as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic across the four nations of the UK.
The Foundation has partnered with a-n The Artists Information Company to set up a new £1.5m Emergency Fund, Freelands Foundation Emergency Fund, for artists and freelancers in the visual arts sector living in England and Northern Ireland. Open from Thursday 7 May, the new fund will support grants of £1,500 to £2,500 per person, assessed by need, with £1 million going to those living in England and £500k to those in Northern Ireland.
The new fund follows a £1m contribution to the Creative Scotland Bridging Bursary and £500k to the Arts Council of Wales Urgent Relief Fund for Individuals.
Jayne Knight, Chair of a-n Board, said: “We know that getting money to artists is the most useful, practical action that a-n can take during this challenging period. We are proud that Freelands Foundation has chosen a-n to distribute their hardship funds to the visual arts.”
June 2020
Here at VAA HQ we’ve been busy, as the world has been adjusting, so has the arts world. The following are some key dates for your diary to help you stay in the know …
Quiz Night – BYO Wine & Cheese
We would like to invite YOU as a valued VAA member to a fun filled quiz night! The night is invitation only, just members – treat this email as your golden ticket! However, you are welcome to bring along one Artist friend. All you have to do is email us with their details (name, email, social handles).
FREE to attend, get to meet fellow artists on 11th June @ 7.30pm – 9:00pm.
GREAT PRIZES TO BE WON!
Art Café – Featuring Emma Rodgers
Following the success of our Art Café last month with Carne Griffiths. We would like to invite you to our June get together with the outstanding International and award-winning Sculptor, Emma Rodgers on the 18th June at 11am. Emma will be taking us through the highlights of her career whilst giving us some useful insights into working with galleries, charities, her public commissions, public relations and what she has been doing to make the most of lock-down.
Evolve Programme
On the 29th June as a valued VAA member we will be hosting series of 4 virtual workshops to give you top tips on getting your arts business online. The series of workshops will cover the basics of getting your product right, getting to grips with social media and selling online. During the programme we will be launching our own social media campaign to give you a kick-start. The first workshop will take place on 29th June and then 1st, 6th and 8th July at 11am.
More details to follow!
COVID-19 Creative Commissions Grant
Artists will be able to apply for a fund of £200, from an initial grant of £10,000. The first phase of applications are open from 8th June and will close on 13th July as part of the COVID-19 international initiative #createart4hope. More info click here
CREATEART4HOPE
Last month we launched a campaign as a response to the COVID-19 crisis. Thousands of Artists have come together to share their artwork across social media platforms, to create art that raises hope and highlights beauty in these uncertain times.
We want to help bring joy to people in times of uncertainty, we aim to do this through creativity, helping to build new relationships, strengthen existing ones and help express our shared identity through art.
Alone we can only do so much, but together we can do so much more.
DONATE and head over to www.createart4hope.co.uk to claim your FREE art and learn more.
July 2020
Now that the world is slowly opening up again, we at VAA HQ are so excited to update you on our summer events. Starting with our much anticipated Evolve Summit in which you will learn how to increase your online art sales …
Evolve Programme
Monday 3rd, Monday 10th and Wednesday 13th August @ 7pm
Do you want to increase your online art sales? Of course you do! Get your FREE tickets to Evolve …
ONLINE ART CAFÉ
30th July @ 11am
featuring Artist and Creator of the Artists Support Pledge Matthew Burrows. Learn more on how Matthew’s initiative, marketing expertise and quick thinking founded £50m sales for Artists globally.
ONLINE ART CAFÉ
27th August @ 12 noon
featuring award winning Author of “The Power In You” and Mouth Artist Henry Fraser. Learn more on Mindset and how Henry overcame adversity.
Stay In Touch!
Do you have any updates? Maybe a new collaboration or an upcoming online event. Well, just send VAA HQ an email with all the info and an image. Then we can spread the word to the rest of the community.